05/16/2016
The crew of a sailing vessel that foundered on a reef in the South Pacific in
early May was safely rescued, thanks in part to the alert ear of Maritime
Mobile Service Network (MMSN[1]) member Russell Taylor, AI6GV, of San Marcos,
California. On May 3, Taylor monitored a "Mayday" call on 14.300 MHz from the
Alaska-based Morning Dove, at the time some 200 miles northeast of French
Polynesia. The vessel's captain, Bruce Moroney, KL3RK, reported that the
46-foot ketch, which had been en route from Apataki Atoll to Rangiroa - a
passage of about 80 miles, had become stuck on a reef and was unable to move.
The crew transmitted the Mayday distress call after the vessel began taking on
water.
"We could see reef from the cockpit, we were lodged on a reef," Moroney
explained afterward to Latitude 38[2]. "I tried to reverse with no effect.
Within 10 minutes conditions became extreme." Moroney said the ketch's hull and
diesel fuel tank breached. An emergency position-indicating radio beacon
(EPIRB[3]) was activated, and a Mayday put out. "Within 15 minutes the radios
were underwater," Moroney said.
Taylor apprised the US Coast Guard of the situation and of the vessel's
position. The French Navy subsequently dispatched a helicopter to the area
within about 6 hours of the incident, airlifting the four unharmed crew members
to safety. Efforts were reported under way to retrieve the grounded vessel. The
Coast Guard later called Taylor, telling him that if he had not monitored the
Mayday, the consequences could have been devastating for the crew.
Assisting in the event were long-time net member William Sturridge, KI4MMZ, in
Florida and his friend Peter Mott, ZL1PWM, in New Zealand who relayed
information.
The Maritime Mobile Service Network monitors 14.300 MHz with operators on
scheduled shifts from 1700 to 0300 UTC.
"This incident occurred well after scheduled net operations, when propagation
on 20 meters usually is minimal at best," Assistant Net Manager Jeff Savasta,
KB4JKL, said. He pointed out that MMSN members often continue to monitor the
frequency outside of the net's regular schedule, keeping an ear open for just
such events. "For the people on this vessel, it was a lucky day for them to
have such a capable operator as Russ, AI6GV," he added.
Taylor said it was fortunate that he caught the call and that he was pleased to
participate in the international rescue effort. "This is how this network is
meant to work," he said.
"Needless to say, this was an experience none of us will soon forget," said
Moroney, a pilot and a past participant in the Iditarod Sled Race. - Thanks to
Jeff Savasta, KB4JKL, and MMSN Manager Rene Stiegler, K4EDX, and to Latitude 38
[1] http://www.mmsn.org/
[2] http://www.latitude38.com/
[3] http://www.epirb.com/
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